Friday 16 September 2011

Westfield Stratford City

Yesterday afternoon I managed to get to Westfield Stratford City, a 20 minute trip from work on the Central Line.  The centre is lovely as was expected and does not have all of the high end shops of the White city Centre.  All of the usual suspects are there and lots of eateries.  It was good to see Pull and Bear, Esprit and Uniqlo that much closer to home. At the moment there is also a Getty Images exhibition that has been to White City but still worth a visit.

John Lewis has a haberdashery department which has a good selection of paper patterns and Amy Butler fabrics.

My favourite part was the London 2012 shop within John Lewis which had collectors pins, stamps and all of the other official merchandise.  The view from the window was over the olympic park......



Tuesday 13 September 2011

My Weekend

Last weekend I had a lovely time visiting the Thames Festival on Saturday and then on to the E17 Art Trail on Sunday.

Saturday was so windy but beautifully warm when it wasn't raining.  From Tower Bridge along to County Hall the embankment was full of stalls with craft, food and drink.  Along the way we had an electro swing stage and the beautiful tango stage at The Scoop. The crowds were amazing which meant moving along was done at a rather sedate pace. 



Walking back through the City we noticed this lintel over a Church door...... 




Later on I finished up in Brick Lane for a lovely Lamb Chop Jalfrezi at The Monsoon. Spitalfields looked great with all of the stalls empty.



I made my first visit to the E17 Art Trail on Sunday mainly to visit the E17 Designers event at The Asian Centre, Orford Road, E17.  On the way I visited some of the other venues listed in the Trail.....what a shame I had left it until the last day!  I finished up at the Blackhorse Lane Open Studios which was full of some really amazing work. Next year I am going to visit so many more events.

Thursday 8 September 2011

Black and White Collection Cards

Had fun yesterday afternoon making cards for the first time in a long time.  I decided to just try a few with simple fonts and images from stamps.  They looked great on a simple white card.  I'm hoping to get some other ideas I have ready for the next Forest Art and Crafts indoor fair on 24th September 2011.


Monday 5 September 2011

Sew Much Fun...Primrose Hill

Hot off the press I have the latest class schedule for Sew Much Fun in Chalcot Road, Primrose Hill.......


Adult Sewing Classes – Sept - Oct 2011

Beginners Sewing Class
All the very basics will be covered in this course including threading the sewing machine, sewing seams, creating shape, appliqué and zip insertion. At least three projects will be completed including a pincushion, drawstring bag and a cushion with a pillow case closure with ribbon. This course promises to improve your sewing confidence and inspire you to do more!       

Monday Evening 7-9pm 2hrs x 5 weeks                                                          £150  
19th, 24th Sept, 3rd,10th, 17th October                                                        all materials included    
                                                                                              
Friday Morning 11am –1pm  2hrs x 5 weeks                                                  £150
16th, 23rd,30th Sept,  7th, 14th, October                                                      all materials included

Sew Much More! Sewing Class
Either using a commercial pattern, copying your favourite piece of clothing in your wardrobe, or a set of cushions for the dining room this class takes you further into the joys of sewing. It is a mixed ability class and everyone works at their own speed and ability level with constant teaching and guidance. We supply the pattern or pattern paper required for the project and you provide the rest.

Tuesday Morning 11am-1pm 2hrs x 5 weeks                                                 £150
6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, Sept, 4th, Oct, (11th Oct flexible)

Wednesday Morning 11am -1pm 2hrs x 5 weeks                                          £150
7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, Sept  5th Oct (12th Oct flexible)                                          

Wednesday Evening 7-9pm 2hrs x 5 weeks                                                   £150
14th, 21st, 28th, Sept  5th  12th  Oct                                               

Thursday Morning 11am –1pm  2hrs x 5 weeks                                            £150
8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th,  Sept  6th, Oct (13th Oct  flexible)                                                    

Tuesday Evening 7-9pm – 2hrs x 5 weeks                                                     £150
20th, 27th, Sept, 4th, 11th, 18th October

NEW – Embroidery Hour
Come along and learn simple embroidery stitches and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of creating with your hands! Times and dates to be arranged please tell us if you are interested.

To Book
We like to be as flexible as we can with our sewing classes so you cannot book them on-line. Please contact us via email sewmuchufun@btinternet.com or call us at the shop on 020 7722 9889. Our classes are small and popular so to confirm your place we require a £50 deposit paid up front and then the rest of the payment is made on the first day of the course.  All classes are taught at our Primrose Hill Shop & Studio. We also might change dates if other days suit customers better.

www.sewmuchfun.co.uk
                                                               

Sunday 4 September 2011

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever 1970

This is a film I have loved for its music for a very long time and I was lucky enough to pick up the soundtrack album in a charity shop last month.  I ordered the DVD and looked forward to watching this bizarre film with a young Barbra Streisand and a very young Jack Nicholson centred around New York.


I had remembered the beautiful Cecil Beaton gowns from the scenes shot in the United Kingdom but had entirely forgotten the most amazing late sixties early seventies wardrobe that Barbra Streisand wore throughout.  A new dress and or coat in every scene it seems......and all absolutely gorgeous. 








The designer responsible for these dresses is Arnold Scaasi and here are a few more of his creations.










I couldn't find a good picture of my favourite dress that is worn for the finale, a tangerine fitted tunic with a layered matching capelet!

Saturday 3 September 2011

Little Finds That Make Me Smile.......

Yesterday I managed to find this Olympia Splendid 66 Typewriter.........how lovely is this! It even has the instruction leaflet with it as well.










These made me giggle as well, how big are those shoulders. I know we wore stuff like this in the 80's but the memory of it has been deleted. Must search my photos. 

Vogue Patterns 7089 and 1892


Vogue Patterns 9788 and 9705